Spirit of 1776' alive at Fourth of July Parade

On July 4, 2013, ready to march again, Old Faithful arrived in the “Spirt of 1776 - Virtue, Liberty and Independence” to celebrate along the parade route of the widest street in the USA, the 237th Independence Day of our nation.

However, before lining up, a man in a red shirt approached and asked, “What group are you with? Did they ask you? Do you have insurance?” And his last question, “We don’t like your sign.” Old Faithful looking at the man asked, “Are you an American?” The man did not reply.

But that aside, the veterans welcomed and positioned Old Faithful directly behind the honored Color Guard at the head of the parade. What indeed a parade it was. Despite no fireworks scheduled for Pottstown, the streets were well lined the entire route.

All along the way a veteran from the Berks County contingency lifted up his voice like a trumpet wishing the patriots “Happy Birthday,” and with enthusiasm the veteran urged the people to stand, if they could, as their American flag passed by, for untold numbers have died for our country and our Star Spangled Banner.

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And, respectfully, the patriots all along Pottstown’s High Street stood as the Color Guard marched on.

Just behind the Color Guard in Tri-Cornered Revolutionary hat marched Old Faithful, turning her sign to the right and the left so that the Independence Day celebrators might read in large letters the clear message, “They fought for God and country,” below which was a rendering of the familiar “Spirit of 1776.” At the lower edge of the sign, the following, in two lines from our Declaration of Independence, “With firm reliance on Divine Providence.”

As the Color Guard and the Berks Contingency reached Manatawny bridge, veterans told Old Faithful they were honored to have her walk with them. Whereupon, Old Faithful replied, “I am honored that you allow me to walk with you.”

Then the veteran who this year as in other years urged the crowds to stand as the American flag passes by said, “Good job,” as he passed by Old Faithful. “Yours, a very good job, American veteran,” Old Faithful replied as she turned homeward with hope and prayer for this amazing nation whose cry at birth sounded throughout the colonies, “No king but King Jesus” as our Founders looked to “their Creator”... “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world.” The Declaration of Independence, Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776.